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Friday, September 30, 2016

Fall is a beautiful time of year not just because the changing of the leaves but also the changing of the weather. It's cooler without the humidity and unbearable sun beating down on you so take advantage of this time to get outside with your pooch. Here are 5 ways to have fun this Fall!

{1. Run}That's right get out there and run around in the yard with your dog. You likely won't need to worry about the horrible heat so you can stay out for a little longer and get your dog's energy out.

{2. Hike}For dogs that love taking hiking expeditions, bring them along. Now's the perfect time of year to find a hiking trail and enjoy the views. As always, bring along food and water for your pooch and any emergency items you may need.

{3. Practice Training Outside}Take some treats with you (I really like Good Dog Jerky Treats from ZiwiPeak because they are grain free, have a taste dogs love, and are the perfect size for training rewards) and head outside to practice commands with your pooch. Sometimes being outside exposes dogs to different situations and distractions so it's good to condition them to obey your commands even in those situations!

{4. Photo Session}

Fall trees and leaves make a beautiful natural backdrop so get out there and take lots of photos with your pooch! Now's the time of year to plan your Christmas Card shoot as well!

{5. Endless Fetch}

That's right, for those of you with dogs that are obsessed with playing fetch, have at it like you've never done before!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

So in case you missed it here and here, Grace has been struggling lately. My fur babies are my whole entire world so right now I am still reeling from last week's events. Basically, for weeks now Grace has these recurring episodes where she seems panicked and stressed and she yelps if you touch her neck, which indicated that she is in some sort of pain. So after talking to my regular vet she referred me to a neurologist since we couldn't find anything to diagnosis through standard testing. I had to take a whole day off work to drive to the neurologist located in Maryland. It was only an hour drive but still I was nervous. He looked at her, did some poking and prodding and could immediately find where the nerves were reactive, which was her neck. He said it's likely some sort of spinal issue but the only way to diagnosis it would be to do an MRI. Now in case you've never googled around, an MRI on a pet is big money. But for me the MRI is much more than just expensive. The MRI was going to give me answers and a definite diagnosis. Because without that, we wouldn't be able to treat Grace properly. So to me the MRI was invaluable. So I went ahead and agreed.

Grace with her shaved head after the MRI

Sure enough she was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) of the surgical spine, which means she has some ruptured discs that are being squashed by her spine which is obviously painful, like if someone were driving a nail into her neck.

Obviously surgery is one option but it can be very risky and it's INSANELY expensive. Luckily for me, Grace has other options for pain management and since she isn't hurting 24/7 as it is, this is great news. There are many alternative treatments to surgery aside from pain management but all will require some money.

Most of you remember that Rocky was diagnosed with a heart condition (Mitral Valve Disease) 2 years ago and requires about $2,000 in medical costs each year. But the good news for him is that he's doing awesome on his medication so I'm quite happy with that but my extra money that I can scrounge up already goes to his costs. So to bring me back up to speed so that Grace can't be slighted in regards to medical care (it's a nightmare to even think that I'd have to choose between the two) I have set up a GoFundMe page for Grace. We are already at over 50% of our goal.

Now this part of the post is where I tell you how you can help. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to donate, trust me! SO here are the different ways in which you can support Grace as well as me.

1. DonateClick on the image above to donate ANY amount (it all helps) for Grace.

2. ShareSharing the GoFundMe link each and everyday makes a HUGE impact. It keeps Grace trending on the main GoFundMe site which means it has the opportunity for more eyes to see it. We gotta keep it moving! SHARE SHARE SHARE! It only takes a second.

3. Blog ItMy fellow friends and bloggers have already posted about Grace which once again gets more eyes on her page. Monica from Jersey Girl Texan Heart posted this awesome and informative post and Jenn from BITCHFEST posted an amazing tribute to how much we love our fur babies!

4. Shop using my Amazon LinkAll you have to do is bookmark THIS LINKand anytime you click it, shop, and add things to your cart and then purchase, I will get a percentage of affiliate credit. Every little amount adds up and helps go towards Grace.

So please please please keep spreading the word about Grace! I will be sure to keep you update once I discuss a set plan for pain management with my vet!

I am all about saving space in the home especially when you're short on storage area or counter space. My bathroom is no exception. I love it, don't get me wrong but it can definitely be frustrating especially when I start knocking stuff over.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Life is full of amazing milestones. Some of them, nearly everyone has; getting married, buying a house, having a child. Others are unique to the individual. Travelling the world, or building your own home could easily be considered milestones too. The problem is that none of these huge events really come cheap. Like hundreds of other Americans, you may be struggling to save money on a daily basis, nevermind on huge costly events. But, at the same time, there are some things that we just can't miss out on.

Image sourceMarriage Getting engaged is all well and good, but when it comes to planning the wedding, cracks can begin to show! Weddings are expensive and difficult to save for - especially if you're already trying to save money while paying off debt. The venue is easily the most pricey part of the wedding, with many couples spending in excess of $14,00 for the venue alone. Engagement rings tend to come in at around $5000, whilst the dress usually sets the bride back around $1400. However, there are ways you can cut back on the cost of your wedding if you need to save money. For example, booking a promising local band rather than a company-represented wedding band can save you hundreds. They'll be happy to oblige and glad for the exposure, and you will have a bit more money in the bank too. Paying for alcohol by the head, rather than the glass, is another useful tip for cutting venue and catering costs. If your budget really is limited and every penny counts, also consider cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet early on. Once those are done, you can get your photographer/videographer to leave. For a quirky addition, give each of your guests a disposable camera for the rest of the evening so you have lots of lovely pictures to look back on.

Image sourceHaving a baby Having children of your own is one of life's true pleasures. There is nothing quite like having your own little family. But, like most of life's pleasures, they certainly don't come cheap. Thankfully, there are ways you can get savvy about child costs, right from the birth to the first year. During your stay in hospital, say no to any added extras in your birthing room, such as a television. There is often a cost to incur with these, and no one wants to be hit with an even bigger bill after giving birth. If you're planning on having a number of children, buy unisex clothes for them. That way, you will have plenty of hand-me-downs available for when baby number 2 arrives!

If it has always been your dream to travel the world, but you've never had enough money to do so; don't fear! You can still travel on a budget, as long as you are smart. An obvious tip is to exchange all your currency before you go. It may seem like a hassle, especially if you are going to lots of different countries. But, you will be able to get the best exchange rate and will avoid cash machine charges too. Avoid glitzy hotels and use websites like Air Bnb for cheap accommodation. Hostels may present images of rowdy teenage backpackers, but don't overlook them either; many even include private rooms.

Tis the season for cool breezes, crisp leaves, and pumpkin spice everything! It's Fall and I love it! However as a homeowner there are several things that should be done each year around this time to prepare for the cooler months and some things that it's just a good idea to do every few months anyways. So here is a list for all you homeowners!

[ ] Wash + Vacuum the Windows

Not only do you want clean windows for when you leave them open for a cool Fall breeze to come in, but it's finally not so sticky and humid out which means it's not an ordeal to wash the outsides of the windows (if you can reach all of them). Wash the windows inside and out and then take a vacuum to the screen and the entire inside of the window sill. No one wants those dead bugs and cobwebs hanging around!

[ ] Clean Out Gutters

If you are able to safely get on your roof or against your gutters to remove leaves and other debris, make sure you do so. If not, it's not a good mix when it rains because your gutters can be clogged from a variety of things including leaves, twigs, nuts (from those pesky squirrels), and more. Summer always has lots of storms that wash things down from the top of the roof so you'll find lots of interesting surprises I'm sure.

[ ] Trim Shrubs

After the summer, things are no longer blooming so it's always a good time to trim shrubs and bushes so that they are nice and pretty come Spring.

[ ] Change Air Filters

Always change your home's air filters, it obviously helps with air quality and allergies, but it's also a great way to keep your heating/cooling system working better.

[ ] Clean Your Oven and Fridge

There's always so much entertaining in the summer so it's more than likely that your fridge and oven need a good scrub down. Make sure you use the Self Cleaning option on your oven if you can. This way everything will be ready for all the Fall festivities.

[ ] Clean Out Cupboards

Now's a great time to purge, reorganize, and donate any canned goods or dry goods you don't need. Take everything out at once, then go through one by one and donate or pitch any expired items or items you no longer really need. Then carefully refill your cupboards keeping them somewhat organized. It's also a great time to take inventory of any staple ingredients you may need to restock.

[ ] Wash Baseboards and Vacuum Nooks & Crannies

Use a wet wipe or a rag with water or cleaning solution to wipe down baseboard heaters. Also use the narrow nozzle attachment on your vacuum to go through the entire house, high and low and vacuum in things, under things, and around things to get any cobwebs, dust bunnies, fur balls, and crumbs. Don't forget to vacuum vents!

[ ] Clean Bathrooms

Fall is the time of year for inside guests so be sure to scrub the counters, the tub, the floor, and clean out the toilet. Also don't forget to wash your hand towels every 2 weeks.

[ ] Cover or Bring In Patio Furniture

If you have cushions on your patio furniture you may want to bring it in when you know that you'll no longer be outside a lot. If you have covers for your furniture now's a good time to get them out and get them ready to put on.

I'm sure there are plenty more things I could add but I tried to think of the less obvious ones than decorating for fall and raking leaves, hehe! Happy Fall!

In case you missed Friday's post, here is all the information of what happened with Grace and I. Grace is doing great and is able to manage her pain. Over time her condition will worsen. But right now it's bittersweet because she's still so young and healthy. So please please please consider sharing or donating. PLEASE!

Another
way you can support Grace is by using my affiliate link when you shop
on Amazon. Simply bookmark this Amazon home page and use it anytime you
get on amazon and order. Each month a portion of the sales will
actually come to me. It's small but every little amount helps!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Grace is my 9 year old female chihuahua and everyone who knows me knows that her and my other 3 chihuahuas are my children. Recently Grace was having what looked like severe anxiety and panic
attacks due to pain in her neck. She would tense her neck up and scream
if you touched her neck. This was happening twice a day almost
everyday for a month. After a recommendation from my regular vet to a
neurologist in Maryland, I took her down there on Friday September 23rd.

The neurologist did some poking and prodding and could tell
that there was some sort of spinal pain with Grace but the only 100% way
to find out what it was and where it was, was by doing an MRI. The MRI
cost over $4,500 but without it, I would have no answers for Grace's
pain and she would continue to suffer every single day. I needed to be
able to know what it was that hurt so I can properly treat her.

The
MRI showed that Grace has Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which is
common in small dogs like Chihuahuas. IVDD is a condition where the
cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge
or burst (herniate) into the spinal cord space. In Grace's case, 3 of
her discs ruptured, the C34, C45, and C56. This is why she is in so
much pain when it flares up. So much pain that it actually causes her
to go into a panicked state.

Some dogs have it further down
their back and end up losing the ability to use their hind legs and
become paralyzed. Luckily, Grace's is up higher and is treatable in a
variety of ways, those of which I am still learning about as I research
my options. One option is surgery, which obviously comes with many
risks, but there are other options for pain management. Grace's quality
of life is great. She literally JUST turned 9 and she is healthy in
every other way.

My heart is breaking that money is even an
issue for me. I already spend $2,000 a year on my other Chihuahua,
Rocky, for his heart condition. He has Mitral Valve Disease but we have
it way under control and he is thriving. Unfortunately, I thought I
had atleast another year or two before I had dish out major money on
another one of my dogs. So this was very unexpected.

I will be
discussing my options with my regular vet (whom I trust with every fiber
of my being) and in the next week I should have a better plan of
action. My goal is to give Grace a normal pain free life. For now, she
is on pain management with Gabapentin, Rimadyl, and Tramadol. Because
there are risks with anti-inflammatory medications, I am looking into
other options immediately. But in the meantime, Grace is not in pain
and is enjoying life.

Please consider donating to Grace and I or atleast sharing with others.Friday was such a difficult day! I went to Maryland alone so I was already overwhelmed. Of course when they were telling me that we should do an MRI I was already freaking out at the cost but I knew that the MRI would give me answers. As soon as they told me the amount I was devastated and my world began spinning. They casually mentioned that depending on the diagnosis there is surgery and I just nodded my head because all I could think of was SAVE HER!! Then they gave me a quote just so I had an idea. After seeing $11k I went to my car and cried. I couldn't even remember how to type or who to call. I was having a major panic attack! I knew that the MRI was necessary for me and for her. But then came the question of how to come up with more money than that for her treatment.

After the MRI, when it was time to take Grace home I lost it. I cried the entire ride back in the car. I was not ready to see my poor shaved pup!

Please consider donating to Grace and I or at least sharing with others. I can not tell you how important this is to me. If there's only one favor you ever do for me in your lifetime, please let this be it. Thank you so much for even reading this!

Another
way you can support Grace is by using my affiliate link when you shop
on Amazon. Simply bookmark this Amazon home page and use it anytime you
get on amazon and order. Each month a portion of the sales will
actually come to me. It's small but every little amount helps!

"I need to build up my savings fund but I also need to pay off my debt so how can I do them at the same time? "

I get this question A LOT when it comes to fixing finances. And I'm not just saying that because it's the name of my finance book (shameless plug)! While it's very important to build up an emergency fund before paying down your debt full force, the two are equally important.

You see, if you don't have a decent savings fund, you're going to continue borrowing money. And the more money you borrow, the more you have to pay off and so you can't get focus on building up your savings.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

So as you know, our screened in porch is where I spend most of my time. I love it and it's like being outside without the annoying bugs. I mean I literally spend every waking moment that I can out here. So, I decided to spruce it up a bit more going off of my list of a few things I wanted changed about it. 1. More Seating2. More Storage3. Less Clutter

So I did just that!

I found another couch to go with the loveseat we already had. This one was a 3 seater sofa. I love the loveseat, don't get me wrong but I can't really stretch out on it when I lay down to read. I also take naps in the afternoons on weekends and it's quite uncomfortable being all folded up.

Of course I went crazy trying to figure out how to position everything. I even made little blue prints for all of my options. In the end I settled for having everything at an angle instead of aiming straight ahead. It actually opened it up much more.

Monday, September 19, 2016

So I figured I've been learning so much from Fred, our resident garden toad, that I wanted to put together a little post with some advice, information, on tips for those of you that get lucky enough to find a toad in your yard. First of all... Toads - Friend or Foe? Toads are harmless. They might look funny or feel weird if you've ever touched one but there's absolutely nothing to be afraid of. In fact you may notice that when you come upon a toad, they just sit there. They don't even try to flee. That right there says it all. They are just minding their own business. Toads are extremely beneficial to your yard and your garden! One toad can eat upwards of 1,000 each night. By the way, they are nocturnal. So if you have a problem with any kind of pesty bug attacking your garden, you should welcome a toad with open arms. And no, toads will not give you warts. So stop being afraid of them for that reason! Toads mind their own business. They don't want to try to get into your house. They don't want to bite you or hurt your pets. Basic Information About ToadsToads are nocturnal as I said above. Their predators include small mammals like skunks, possums, raccoons, and large birds, especially wading birds that may find them near water. Toads secret an icky taste from their skin to keep predators off of them. If the predator is smart, they'll flip them over and eat them that way because the glands aren't on their bellies.

Toads are not the same as frogs. Frogs pretty much live in water. Toads live on land. They go towards water to mate usually but other than that, you'll likely find them on your sidewalk, in your grass, or in your garden. Toads do need water to drink, obviously. But the way they drink it is through their skin. So when you see a toad sitting in a puddle of water, that's what it's doing. Toads eat all kinds of insects. Big toads can even eat tiny critters like mice. But the majority of garden toads are just happy eating bugs.

You may see your toad shedding his skin. That's normal. Just like with any reptile except that toads don't leave their skin behind. Instead they eat it. It's packed with nutrients and vitamins. If you ever see a toad shedding his skin (you'll know, trust me!) leave him be. He will be sitting up kind of funny and likely pulling it over his body. Just let him go, he'll be okay.

Want to attract toads to your garden?First things first, make a toad house. Toads need protection from the sun and to keep cool they often burrow into soil with their little faces poking out. They often take cover under leaves or rocks. So take a clay flower pot and smash it into two pieces with a hammer, or try to carefully just make a door-style opening. Then set the pieces on the ground so they make a little covering for any toads that hop on over. Also, toads need puddles, remember so if you have a little dish, fill it with water each day. Set these things on or around your garden to attract toads.

So you find a toad on your property....now what?Move him near your garden. Seriously. And do exactly what I mentioned above so he has coverage and hiding spots. No matter how you find a toad, be nice to him. Don't mess with him too much. I have pet Fred a few times but I try not to ever pick him up except for the 2 times I moved him to a different garden bed.

Let him be free.If you live in an area where a harsh winter is inevitable, you are probably going to worry about your toad. I know, trust me. But you have to realize, frogs and toads have survived on this Earth forever and ever so they know how to handle cold weather. Nature is an amazing thing and each creature is equipped with instincts to help keep them safe. So when the temperatures start to cool down, frogs will dig into the bottom of a pond to hibernate. They slow their heartbeat down and go to sleep. Toads dig down into the Earth and do the same. Please do not capture your toad and put him in an aquarium, making him into a pet. If you want one as a pet, go buy one at the pet store. Please do not make wildlife into pets. It's not respectful of the wild animal itself, not to mention that if you ever let it go again it could die. Also, once you take an animal that hibernates (like a toad) from nature, you mess with his body clock. His instincts can't properly help him decide when he'll need to hibernate in the future. Also, he could come dependent on you for food. So again, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't keep your toad as a pet.

If you have raised garden beds with fencing around them, make sure you leave the gate open once September comes so you can allow him to eventually venture out and find a spot to hibernate.

They say toads have been known to come back to the same spot each year if there's ample food and decent protection.

Also, if you find any pesty bugs while your toad is nearby, feel free to toss them towards him and watch him feast.

I hope this post has informed you about toads and also motivated you to open your yard and your garden to them!

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Even if you are a pro at managing your money and avoiding impulse buys at the mall or clothing store, most of us can still agree that one part of our budget is always a struggle. For some reason, the grocery store is full of temptation and since food is technically a necessity, it seems that it's easier for one to lose control when perusing the aisles.